After 27 years in the director's seat at Centaurus High School, it's finally curtains for Theresa Collins.

The school's Dionysus Theater Company opens Friday, Feb. 28, with its rendition of George S. Kaufmann's "You Can't Take it With You." When the production's run concludes March 8, so does Collins' run at the helm of Centaurus' theater performances.

Collins, who has spent 29 years in Boulder Valley School district, has taught language arts, film lit, communications, advanced-placement courses, pre-International Baccalaureate classes, even P.E. in addition to theater. But the stage is where she will truly leave her mark.

When Collins inherited the Centaurus theater program in the late '80s, the theater department was confined to the school's original auditorium.

"When I first started here were were on the old auditorium and the old stage but within three or four years of my coming here we got the new facility," Collins said. "That was more than 20 years ago. I remember it felt so huge, but we've filled it."

In recent years Collins rebranded the school's theater crew the Dionysus Theater Company — a move she said helped change students' approach to their craft.

"We're not just the Centaurus Theater Company anymore," Collins said. "That really raised the level of professionalism. The students take a lot of pride in that now."

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Under Collins' leadership, Dionysus Theater Company performs a fall musical and spring play each year, as well as well as an annual evening of one-acts. Collins used to run a theater department at Angevine Middle School as well and estimates she has directed roughly 100 productions during the course of her tenure.

"I've been doing this a long time," said Collins, who said she didn't decide to retire until winter break this year. "I have former students in their 40s. It's frightening."

That's not to say things have become stale for the longtime educator. Collins said she is looking forward to her fittingly titled final production as much as any other.

"I'm incredibly proud of my actors. They've been an absolute joy to work with," Collins said. "The set is one of the best ones we've done. It's just a great, great way to go out."

The cast and crew of around 35 is hoping to send its director out with a bang.

"Everything is coming together. The props and set are really well done. All the characters are really developed," said freshman Kole Lavoy, publicity director for the spring play. "All of our actors are very passionate about this."

In retirement, Collins said she has a bucket list to check off which includes traveling the globe to visit friends. She plans to become a life coach after some initial time off.

But she'll leave with fond memories of Centaurus.

"I have been incredibly blessed to spend my career at this school," Collins said. "I love this school. I love these kids and this faculty. I've just been incredibly blessed."

"You Can't Take it With You," hit the stage on Friday, with the first of four performances, and the second took place Saturday night. The remaining performances are set for 7:30 p.m., this coming Friday and Saturday at Centaurus High School, 10300 South Boulder Road.

Tickets are available at the door. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors.

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